How do I fill FluidFM probes correctly?

The filling procedure varies slightly depending on the FluidFM product you purchased. Please follow the instructions for FluidFM BOT or FluidFM Add-On after reading the general remarks.

General remarks:

Filtering: FluidFM probes feature a microchannel and often a sub-micrometer aperture that can easily be clogged by any kind of particle. Always filter solutions through maximum 0.2 µm pore sizes.

Degassing: Degassing the liquid before filling will minimize bubbles in the microchannel, especially for applications with negative pressure (e.g. adhesion).

Gloves: Wear gloves during the filling operation to minimize contamination and dirt on the probe.

Fluorescent tracer: This is optional. A fluorescent tracer, such as FITC, can be added to the filling to monitor the probe filling progress using epi-fluorescence. This can be very valuable especially for inexperienced user.

FluidFM BOT:

The following steps describe how a FluidFM BOT probe is best prepared:

Using a 1µl pipette, aspirate 0.5 µl to 1µl of the solution you would like to load the FluidFM probe with.

Wipe any deposit of solution off the pipette tip to avoid contaminating the outside the FluidFM probe’s reservoir.

Insert the pipette tip until you reach the bottom of the reservoir and eject the liquid there.

Gently shake the FluidFM probe to be sure that the solution sits at the bottom of the FluidFM probe’s reservoir.

Place probe into the BOT’s loading plate and pick the probe up as soon as possible to avoid evaporation of your reservoir liquid.

FluidFM ADD-ON:

Fix the FluidFM probe onto the probe holder.

Using a 10 µl pipette, aspirate the solution you would like to load the FluidFM probe with.

FlexAFM and Nanowizard: Use 5 µl

BioscopeResolve: Use 1 µl

Wipe any deposit of solution off the pipette tip to avoid contaminating the outside the FluidFM probe’s reservoir.

Insert the pipette tip until you reach the bottom of the reservoir and eject the liquid there.

Gently shake the FluidFM probe to be sure that the solution sits at the bottom of the FluidFM probe’s reservoir.

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